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Iron deficiency anemia affects around 3 million women in the United States alone, not to mention women all over the world. It is a common problem affecting women, which often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Heavy bleeding during menstrual periods is the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women. Often, iron supplement medications are needed to correct this type of anemia. However, if you suspect you have anemia, then consult your healthcare provider first and don’t take iron supplements on your own without determining the real reason behind your problem.
29% of non-pregnant women and about 38% of pregnant women suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Due to heavy menstrual bleeding every month, the iron within the red blood cells is also lost. If this iron which is lost with menstrual bleeding is not replaced from the meals that you consume or from iron supplement medications, you will end up eventually with an iron deficiency anemia.
Women who lose more than 80 ml of blood with every menstrual period are more likely to develop this kind of anemia related to menstruation. Now you know how anemia and menstruation related, but what can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding? Certain medical conditions affecting the genitourinary system can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, over 80 ml of blood during a menstrual period, such as uterine polyps, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, bleeding disorders, etc.
On the other hand, if a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding, she has greater risks of developing iron deficiency anemia. These two periods are a special condition for a woman’s body. First, during pregnancy, the woman’s body needs to support the growth of a new life inside her body, so there is normally an increased need for iron. A pregnant woman needs 2 to 3 times more iron compared to the time when she is not pregnant, so developing an iron deficiency is quite easy during pregnancy. The blood that is lost during childbirth can make the condition get worse.
During breastfeeding the woman’s body needs to work more in order to produce the necessary amount of breast milk. Developing an iron deficiency anemia is also possible while breastfeeding especially when not eating well.
How do you know you have anemia and menstruation? Anemia and especially iron deficiency anemia can develop for a prolonged period of time. It might take years for the first symptoms to become noticeable. On the other hand, in cases of severe blood loss for a short period of time, the symptoms become noticeable immediately. Symptoms of anemia due to menstrual periods usually become noticeable after weeks, months, or years. Common signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:
Once you are diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, you could start by increasing the iron intake through the diet. There are two types of dietary iron:
Nonheme iron is iron originating from plant sources such as beans, grains, kale, beet, lentils, oats, wheat, tofu, etc. This type of iron is not absorbed that much compared to heme iron. Limit the intake of coffee or tea immediately after a meal as they can reduce the absorption of nonheme iron from the digestive system. On the other hand, certain types of foods and beverages such as citrus fruits, strawberries, peppers are rich in vitamin C. It is known that vitamin C helps the absorption of iron from the digestive system.
Heme iron is only found in meat sources. This type of iron is more rapidly absorbed compared to the nonheme iron. Great sources of heme iron are red meat, chicken, turkey, pork, shellfish, oysters, fish, etc. However, red meat is the one with the highest concentration of heme iron.
However, often a diet change only is not enough to restore the iron that is missing in the body. In general, iron supplements are recommended and prescribed as the primary treatment of iron deficiency anemia. As there are many types of anemia, first of all, it is very important to determine if this is an iron deficiency anemia or any other type of anemia.
As mentioned, various factors can lead to heavy bleeding during menstrual periods, a condition commonly known as menorrhagia. The treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding depends from its cause.
Medications commonly prescribed for the treatment of menorrhagia include:
In cases when heavy menstrual bleeding is caused by a bleeding disorder, Stimate or Desmopressin nasal spray is recommended.
NSAIDs are also prescribed for the treatment of menstrual cramps and painful menstrual periods.
In order to relieve the signs and symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding, certain surgical interventions are recommended as well, such as: